Altman and Amodei Snub Modi's Hand-Holding Photo Op at India AI Summit

India's AI Summit in New Delhi hit a socially awkward snag. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arranged a group photo op with tech and business leaders standing in a line holding hands. Most obliged. Sam Altman and Dario Amodei did not.

The OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs — fierce rivals in the AI race — awkwardly refused to participate in the hand-holding display. Because apparently, competing for AI supremacy doesn't come with mandatory team-building exercises.

The moment unfolded during what was described as the busiest day of the summit, with Modi personally orchestrating the lineup of tech heavyweights. The refusal underscores the intensely competitive dynamic between the two AI leaders, who remain locked in a battle for dominance in the generative AI space.

Once a rival, always a rival — even when a world leader asks nicely.